Trump, #MeToo inspire more women to run for office in Massachusetts

Thursday

Women hold top political offices in Massachusetts, including members of Congress, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer and auditor.

Historically, however, few women have run, and Bay State voters have been hesitant to vote them into office, especially in the state Legislature.

"Women are disproportionately represented," said Meryl Kessler, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts.

In 1999, women held 26 percent of the 200 seats in the state Senate and House of Representatives. By 2018, the number fell to 24.5 percent, and women have never exceeded 26 percent of the legislative body during the last two decades, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

The lack of representation in part is the result of fewer women being willing to run than men, said Laurie Martinelli, executive director of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus in Boston.

"Just in general, women have to be asked seven times to run before they will," Martinelli said, adding that men are much more willing.

But this year could be different.

A Wicked Local review of Massachusetts congressional, statewide and legislative races shows the number of female candidates running this year is nearly 20 percent greater than the midterm primary election of 2014. The primary election will be held on Sept. 4.

"It’s encouraging more women feel they can make a difference at the national, state and local level," Kessler said.

The inspiration to run stems from different reasons, but for some -- at least among Democrats -- motivation struck in the wake of President Donald Trump winning the 2016 election over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

"Some women are getting involved because of the political tone that’s going on in this Trump era," Martinelli said.

Trump’s inauguration in 2017 was followed by what’s now known as the Women’s March, one of the largest single-day protests in United States history. People across the country rallied, calling for more women to get involved in politics. It was repeated earlier this year.

Nearly 90 women in the Democratic Party are running this primary election compared to about 67 in 2014, according to races reviewed by Wicked Local.

Martinelli’s nonprofit operates a political action committee, which endorses women in races across the commonwealth. The group backs women from both parties, although most are Democrats.

Martinelli said a Berkshire County offshoot of the organization started after the 2016 election because a member there was so troubled by Trump. The group also launched in Worcester in June and Martinelli said the growth is unprecedented.

"This is the first time we’ve endorsed this number of women running for state offices and district attorney," she said.

The widespread influence of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and abuse has also inspired more women to run. Martinelli said she hasn’t heard a candidate say the #MeToo movement was the only reason for entering politics, but it’s certainly being talked about at political forums and debates.

Kessler said the impact has been undeniable.

"There can be no doubt #MeToo has been a really important impetus for encouraging more women to throw their hats in the ring," she said.

Candidates, including Ayanna Pressley, a Democratic challenger in the highly anticipated primary race for the 7th Congressional District, are talking openly about their personal experiences.

Pressley, a Boston city councilor, first talked about it prior to the international launch of the #MeToo movement, saying in 2011 she had been raped while attending Boston University.

Nonetheless, widespread public discourse surrounding the issue today is one of the reasons for her bid for higher office, she said.

"I have to say, as a survivor of sexual abuse myself, and standing in solidarity with my survivor community, one of the reasons why I am running during this renewed and elevated consciousness around these issues is the opportunity to codify this activism in lawmaking to make sure survivors can get on a pathway to healing and the justice they deserve," Pressley said during a televised debate on WGBH’s Greater Boston with Jim Braude on Aug. 15.

For other women, including Erin Calvo-Bacci, a Republican state Senate candidate for the 5th Middlesex District, this election is not about a women’s movement, but more about leading by example. Calvo-Bacci is one of about two dozen Republican women running for political offices reviewed by Wicked Local.

"Yes, I happen to be a woman, but I’ve never looked at this as doing it as a woman. I’m looking at it as trying to make a change," Calvo-Bacci said.

The owner of Bacci Chocolate Design in Swampscott, nonetheless, is heartened to see more women getting involved in politics and expects the numbers will only snowball from here.

"It’s like you’re at a dance and no one is dancing," she quipped. "One person starts dancing and then others join in."

Regardless of motive, more women are in the race, offering voters more choices. Whether the electorate is ready to choose more women, however, will be answered at the polls. The results could help signal how far Americans are willing to support more women in positions of political leadership.

Martinelli, regardless of outcome, is optimistic the numbers will only grow from here.

"It’s all part of the atmosphere -- women are saying, ‘I’ve had enough,’" Martinelli said. "And we’re just gearing up for the big presidential election in two years when I think there will be even more women."

Eli Sherman is an investigative and in-depth reporter at Wicked Local and GateHouse Media. Email him at esherman@wickedlocal.com, or follow him on Twitter @Eli_Sherman.